MADRID, Aug 26, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Ousmane Dembele’s second-half strike was
the difference as reigning La Liga champions Barcelona ground out a 1-0 win
away to newly-promoted Valladolid on Saturday to maintain their perfect start
to the campaign.
It was not a classic Barcelona performance by any means at the Estadio Jose
Zorrilla, and they escaped at the death as a Keko equaliser for the hosts was
disallowed due to a marginal offside call.
Nevertheless, Ernesto Valverde’s side now have six points out of six and
are yet to concede a goal, with this victory following a 3-0 success against
Alaves on the opening weekend.
Lionel Messi had scored twice in that game, but he struggled to make an
impact here on a dreadful pitch that kept cutting up.
Instead it was Philippe Coutinho who came closest to opening the scoring in
the first half, his low shot from the edge of the area heading for the corner
before Jordi Masip turned it around the post.
On a night when Gerard Pique made his 300th appearance in La Liga, none of
Barcelona’s close-season signings started, although Arturo Vidal and
Brazilian winger Malcom came off the bench late on.
By that time Dembele, whose first season at Barca after joining from
Borussia Dortmund was marred by injury, had scored the crucial goal. Sergi
Roberto headed a 57th-minute cross back down into the path of the French
international, who swept the ball past Masip.
The visitors then thought they had scored a second in the closing stages as
Messi released Luis Suarez to slot home, but the offside flag cut short the
celebrations.
Barca were then rescued by the Video Assistant Referee in the second minute
of added time. Substitute Keko, having earlier headed a glorious chance
straight at Marc-Andre ter Stegen, this time saw his header find the back of
the net.
The Valladolid fans, who saw their team win promotion via the play-offs,
erupted in celebration, but the assistant referee had spotted the offside,
and video replays confirmed it was the right decision, if only just.
– ‘Growing in strength’ –
Barcelona’s win followed a similarly unspectacular victory for Atletico
Madrid earlier, as the Europa League holders beat Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in a
capital derby. Antoine Griezmann, a member of France’s World Cup-winning
squad along with Dembele, scored the only goal of the game in the 63rd minute
at the Wanda Metropolitano as Diego Simeone’s men notched their first league
win of the campaign.
Atletico, tipped to challenge Barcelona and Real Madrid for the title this
term, kicked off their campaign with a 1-1 draw at Valencia last weekend.
Despite labouring for long periods, they proved too strong for an
impressive Rayo, who were champions of the second-tier last term but have
lost both games so far this season.
“It was a difficult match from the start and Rayo played well, but we feel
good because we won, and because it’s not easy at the start of the season and
everyone is struggling,” said Simeone.
“Griezmann is growing in strength. We are trying to get him up to his best
form with the more minutes he plays.”
The goal came when Montenegrin centre-back Stefan Savic climbed highest to
nod down a corner, and Griezmann, who scored 29 times in all competitions
last season, swivelled to slot into the net.
Atletico struggled to close out the win, though, with goalkeeper Jan Oblak
having to keep out Adri Embarba’s free-kick and dive at the feet of Alex
Moreno to smother the full-back’s effort.
But the Slovenian ‘keeper kept his best save for the 90th minute, as he
sprung to his right to beat away Sergio Moreno’s well-struck shot and ensure
Atletico took all three points.
Earlier on Saturday, Alaves and Real Betis played out a goalless draw as
both teams got off the mark for the season after defeats last week.
After beating Getafe 2-0 last weekend, Real Madrid go to Girona on Sunday
night.